Paul’s ride nearly left McCoy lost for something to say
Paul Townend is unlikely to be spoken of in the same breath as greats of the saddle.
That despite now counting three Gold Cups among his 28 Cheltenham winners.
Yet the words of one of those legends, AP McCoy, after a Townend masterclass aboard Galopin Des Champs on Friday, instantly granted him a place in Festival folklore.
“As brilliant a ride as I have ever seen in a horse race,” said McCoy. “Talk about riding a horse with bottle? Oh my god.”
Townend’s courageous ride – and Galopin Des Champs justifying 7/5 favouritism by seven lengths – was the final-day highlight of a stunning Festival.
This was no average Gold Cup. Pure staying class came to the fore to conquer the King George winner, Bravemansgame, whose trainer Paul Nicholls enjoyed two wins in the week.
That Townend pulled the trick off by daringly dropping Galopin Des Champs out the back for so long was the chief reason for McCoy, and his fellow former jockeys, going overboard.
His icy-cool effort was all the more remarkable, given Townend had been recipient of scathing criticism so close to home.
Willie Mullins panned Townend for his ride on Facile Vega at Leopardstown, and expressed displeasure at the Supreme Novices’ effort on the same horse.
The trainer made no secret that Appreciate It was hard done to in the Turners.
In such pressurised circumstances, a safetyfirst approach might have been understandable from Townend. But all was forgiven.
It’s not difficult to imagine Galopin Des Champs and Champion Hurdler, Constitution Hill – with injury-permitting – returning to defend their titles at very short odds in 12 months’ time.
Constitution Hill was touted a chasing star-in-themaking. But Galopin Des Champs is only seven-yearsold, and both could boss their divisions for another year or two, rather than set up a collision course.
Nicky Henderson’s monster, a smooth ninelength winner, is 1/2 for the 2024 renewal, while Galopin Des Champs no bigger than 6/4 for a Gold Cup repeat.
Constitution Hill was the first leg of Tuesday’s neverto-be-forgotten golden hour.
Hearts of stone melted as Honeysuckle justified Perth-based owner, Kenny Alexander’s decision to swerve attempting a third Champion Hurdle.
The Mares’ Hurdle shaped as one of the races of the meeting beforehand, and didn’t disappoint as Honeysuckle revved off into retirement with an emotional victory.
Trainer Henry de Bromhead – whose 13-yearold son, Jack, died in a pony racing accident last September – also felt the huge crowd’s love when Envoi Allen landed the Ryanair.
There was another Scottish-tinged success as Grand National credentials were stamped in the Ultima Handicap, where Lucinda Russell’s Corach Rambler won again, with Derek Fox inspired again, albeit on a slightly-less mazy route than 2022.
The front of the market for the Aintree marathon – for which Corach Rambler is 8/1 – hotted up as Noble Yeats grabbed a Gold Cup fourth from miles back to challenge for favouritism.